It was a long day for the man Elquemedo Tonito Willet.
Thursday 9th March, made 50 years to the day, that he broke the ‘glass ceiling’ of insularity existing at the time, pertinent to the selection of cricketers to the West Indies cricket team, to become not only the first Nevisian but even more significantly, the first Leeward Islander, to make it into the prestigious team.
Willet started the day at Naomi’s Preschool and Daycare, to see his grandson (Son of Akito), place first in his tiny tot’s road run.
He then headed to the Nevis Sports Museum, where he was lauded by no less persons than Vera Herbert, the Director at the Museum and former West indies Netball Captain, Lydia Thompson -Claxton.
He also met with and was quizzed by a number of students, representing several Primary Schools across the island and spent what seemed like an eternity, signing autographs.
As a matter of fact, he declared that he has not signed so many autographs in one go, since doing some in England, many years ago.
His day culminated at the Malcolm Guishard Memorial Park, where he was further lauded during a Gala, fit for a King, coordinated by the Nevis Cricket Association.
Among the dignitaries present were: Her Excellency, Dame Marcella Liburd, Governor General of St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew; Premier Mark Brantley and Mrs. Brantley, members of the cabinet in St. Kitts and Nevis, Sir Anderson Roberts and former and present-day cricketers, from the Leeward islands.
The proceedings were superbly chaired by Stevenson Manners, who recently released a book, chronicling the cricketing history of Nevis and included remarks by the Hon. Joseph Parry; Enoch Lewis-President of the Leeward Islands Cricket Association; Premier Mark Brantley; Dr. Sir Anderson Roberts; Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew; Carlisle Powell -President of the Nevis Cricket Association and the great man himself, Elquemedo Willet.
President Powell also read a message from Windies cricket chief, Ricky Skerritt, who was unavoidably absent.
During the presentation by Sir Andy Roberts, he noted that he was too old to bowl bouncers now, but delivered a ‘verbal bouncer,’ when he stated that his former teammate and roommate, Elquemedo Willet, now have MBE behind his name, but that it is now full time that he gets something in front of his name. This was received with tremendous applause.
Dr. Drew, who spoke immediately after, refused to duck out of the way of the bouncer and hinted to make the necessary recommendation. This too was received with loud applause.
Willet was then presented with an impressive plaque and a huge painting of himself, done by the indomitable Vaughn Anslyn.
The other cricketers from Nevis, who have made it to the West Indies cricket team, were also presented with plaques of appreciation.
The Nevis Cricket Association must be commended for a superbly coordinated Gala, which also served to showcase members of the Association, elegantly attired and working tirelessly throughout the event, along with some of the youthful cricketers on Nevis, who also featured in a real way.
The general consensus of opinion was that although the main meal, worked out to be more of a TEST MATCH than a T-20, it was definitely worth the wait!